Highasakite: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

My first time seeing this Norwegian band was at a fairly soulless convention center in Austin, Texas. They transformed that big, open room into an intimate affair. So having them perform at the Tiny Desk, an already intimate space, was a thrill. It was also the first appearance of a flugabone here. Kristoffer Lo plays that mournful horn and Ingrid Helene Håvik compliments the yearning with words that are mysterious, somewhat dark and contain surprising twists.The song titles on their 2014 album Silent Treatment seem more like chapter headings in a crime novel. "Leaving No Traces," "I, The Hand Grenade," "The Man on the Ferry," "Science & Blood Tests" - you get the picture. But this band has a powerful pop side filled with drama made of drums, synths, guitar and the aforementioned flugabone and voice. So glad I get to turn you on to a new favorite of mine. --BOB BOILEN
Set List:
"The Man on the Ferry"
"Since Last Wednesday"
Credits:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Olivia Merrion; Production Assistant: Becky Lettenberger; photo by Olivia Merrion/NPR

[@switchkforlife]

she's freaking beautiful and her voice is hypnotic. love them.

[@5k33k]

Since It isn't in already listed yet, here are the names of the performers: Kristoffer Lo - Flugabone/Guitar Ingrid Helene Håvik - Vocals Trond Bersu - Drums/Percussion Øystein Skar - Keys

[@lumburgapalooza]

Her voice really moves me. I love their studio tracks but the acoustic stuff really lets her vocals shine.

[@RonanNicholson]

"Hello, we are high as a kite."

[@glennkirste2774]

2020...it's 3am...I'm high as a kite....and I don't feel like coming down.

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

Unfortunately it's March 2022 and I am not high as a kite....

[@laurengalley1]

October 2023 not coming down yet

[@Pedro_Santo]

awesome! I keep discovering great bands here at NPR. Thank you so much for this!

[@nero37]

Absolutely adored the arrangements and Ingrid Helene Håvik vocals wow wonderful.

[@antimatter13]

Beautiful.The second song made me cry just a itty bit..nice sentiment for a sentimental guy. Thank you Highasakite..you always have a place for the night with a new fan in Arizona,so please safely travel our way.

[@naomitiefenbrunn2857]

I love these guys so much. Such beautiful music every time

[@richheatho]

Fantastic stuff - this is why I come here.

[@SophieGatward]

Who the hell thumbs downs this? They're bloody perfection!

[@kojukin]

No one worth mentioning.

[@ChrisLee-jp3jn]

ex boyfriends and girlfriends

[@mylifeisart]

I listen to music from all over the world. It is really sad that one of my favorite pop acts worldwide has almost NO recognition in my home country. 6 years and less than 300,000 views is disgraceful. absolutely fantastic music deserving of your time.

[@leodobrodenka5546]

Saw this band in Tromsø Norway Aug 29 . They were brilliant and they came up with 2 new beautiful songs which completelly blew my mind ! What a band!

[@yaaayobleas]

Their music is so beautiful, thank you for sharing this

[@nefimendezhd]

2024, I'm getting into their music. Good times.

[@Summrise]

The KZbin algorithm has blessed me once more with good music

[@astonmartinman]

Coming back year after year for this performance. Love it!

[@JamesDoonan]

One of the best bands around at the moment. Seen them recently in Glasgow, Scotland. Fantastic.

[@knunne1]

Beautiful music, Thank You!

[@franciscocruz5132]

She is an amazing singer and her bandmates are incredibly talented. You can see they speak with their eyes .

[@CeyronHawthorne]

Saw them yesterday in Brooklyn opening for Of Monsters and Men. They were really good live!

[@laurengalley1]

Wow. Just wow. It’s been a while

[@steveger1560]

Seen this fantastic band opening for Of Monsters and Men at the O2 academy in Sheffield uk Last November, had never heard of them but they surprised everyone that night, they was amazing live, really good band, love their sound, amazing talented people, hope they do well....

[@dailydrifter01]

Great song writing!

[@bgngurl11]

AHHH so happy to see them on tiny desk :')

[@user-pg9lr8lu7x]

my favourite band of the moment!

[@sarahascanio5946]

So good. Love these guys.

[@Limxuv]

i love their sound :O

[@ChrisBGSl]

As always, thank you NPR.

[@dpkroon]

love it!!...many thanx...beautiful!

[@tsopuaifa]

Great sound! I love the horn and the oil barrel. Brilliant!

[@1887jo]

Absolute musical perfection, just can't get enough of this band

[@fittalk]

Really love it .... Great stuff. New fan as of a week ago ......

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

Beautiful...!!

[@wearingyrsmell9239]

Low key and beautiful :)

[@OutDoorZombie]

Wow. Brilliant!!

[@ryehenrya4752]

Awesome! Beauti!

[@MrArtenow]

Que linda Música !!!! Muy bueno "

[@Disco.Wizard]

Very good!

[@Ramt33n]

I found a new favorite band :)

[@MaikaMaile]

Awesome.

[@sandovzenofski483]

omg very beautiful

[@permskiy28]

Спасибо Ингрид... Спасибо ребята... Ваши медленные композиции,и голос Ингрид,не повторимы... Палец в верх. ) ) )

[@valeriaiakovleva3961]

Всегда радуюсь русской речи на npr

[@boomblind12]

I have recently heard a song called hiroshima by highasakite and fell in love.. this is cool

[@EvLoutonian]

This version of Weds calling up some sweet Wildbirds & Peace Drums vibes 💚

[@demisemedia]

She's pretty!

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

High as a kite is a very interesting band. I certainly enjoyed this presentation. "No one has seen or heard from him since last Wednesday," call the police!!

[@markhirstwood4190]

pure genius.

[@TheSatyam182]

sweet goosebumps!!!

[@CeyronHawthorne]

+Allyson Messina Cool! I was in GA, where were you at?

[@errolfellows409]

WONDERFUL!! Why so short?

[@danniguinn1620]

Magic

[@ferdinandonapoletano6536]

Ingrid...🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@SOPHIAADODO]

😍

[@detlefvogt9412]

😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@KeithRowley]

What is the instrument in front of her? A hammered dulcimer that she strums with her fingers?

[@Tmendler]

That giant trumpet has a great sound

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

@Thomas Mendler, that giant trumpet is called a flugabone. It's in the description area.

[@Thex57]

jeg kommer fra USA men jeg vite snakker norsk fra mitt bestefar

[@TheGreenguy85]

so close ;)

[@glennkirste2774]

Don't give up the name...I will steal it.

[@ManinManchester]

Where's Marte?

[@Mastaace]

Thats what I was wondering. Maybe this was shortly before she officially joined the band?

[@isaabelllaa]

kapitalne!!!

[@user-eg6ze8jt7x]

супер женщина я от нее аж заболдел немножко и солдатик привстал по стойке смирно

[@anthonyprice6772]

🔥 are you still listening in 2020 march This performance is lovely 0:57 🧡💕 👇 👇 👇 👇 👇🔥

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

@Anthony Price, actually here in 2022 listening; loving every moment!!!

[@666sdkfz]

@@kathyhollenbach7413 2022 ... me too.. 🤗

[@666sdkfz]

........and again in 2024 !

[@eddiecollins4850]

eyebrows mcgillicuty

[@ayorkii]

So we have a guitarist who plays trombone & he sings? Is he single & is he into men?

[@gordonanderson3111]

OH so that is a Flugelbone! Flugabone? Modern Krumhorn. I am Norwegian American and wanted to know.

[@yakmartin5429]

Guitarist who plays trombone ...that's your preference? Why not "Portugese who makes his own mustard at home", or "left-handed poet who collects vintage synthesizers"? Don't let being too picky lead you into loneliness. 🧸👌🏻🧚🏻‍♀️

[@peppigue]

He grew up near me. I never met him but remember his name on a NES cartridge in my possession at some point.

[@ayorkii]

yak martin you’re hilarious 😂!!! I’m not picky ... someone who is easy on the eyes, talented, and compatible; that’s all I need. He’s definitely talented!!! Also ... quite easy on the eyes & ears 👂.

[@ayorkii]

Gordon Anderson this description says you’re correct. I’ve never heard of it before ... flugabone.

[@Sagebirt]

Is the name Finnish, Japanese? ... Oh, spaces ...

[@ObertRottenSocks-di9gw]

I came from Supernatural.-.

[@packhorsetriumph5319]

the first song was about three minutes too long

[@packhorsetriumph5319]

Same with the second, this band is no good they need real lyrics

[@lumburgapalooza]

Do you expect anyone to take your opinion seriously with criticisms so vague? You're entitled to your opinion of course but if you don't have any insightful analysis or observations to share then why say anything? That's just as useless as people posting a million variations on "wow so nice I like it! pretty voice!".

[@Madsa86]

lumburgapalooza i salute you ! Have a beautiful day !

[@arueljimgaytos7082]

+lumburgapalooza wow so nice your statement, i like it. pretty